A third of UK children drink energy drinks every single week - should their sale be banned for under sixteen year olds?
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00How would you feel about a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s?
00:07High-sugar, high-caffeine drinks like Prime, Red Bull and Monster will be banned from sale for children if Labour come to power in July.
00:14It's a move backed by the likes of TV chef Jamie Oliver.
00:17You would be amazed if you saw how many kids have breakfast in the form of an energy drink.
00:23It comes as a third of UK children reportedly drink them every single week.
00:27The Conservatives had previously planned a similar ban, but it was thrown out amid concerns over government meddling in personal choice.
00:34As it stands, most of the major supermarkets ban their sale to under-16s on a voluntary basis.
00:39But why is the ban being considered?
00:41A report in January found energy drinks to have worse adverse effects for children than previously thought, including anxiety, stress and even suicidal thoughts.
00:50Similarly, the Liberal Democrats said they would extend the existing sugar tax on soft drinks to also include juice and milk-based drinks high in sugar if they come to power.
00:59Would a ban for children be beneficial for health, or should we be able to make our own choices?